Lucas Varnum

Born in Massachusetts, Lucas Varnum earned his BFA in Sculpture and Ceramics at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is currently pursuing an MFA in Ceramics at the University of Miami, about to enter his third and final year in the program.

His work embodies a profound exploration of failure and success. By casting basketballs in slip and attempting to shoot them fresh into a basketball hoop, he captures the deformation that occurs whether he succeeds or fails. This process immortalizes the embarrassment of missing a shot in front of others, freezing the moment in perpetuity. When displayed together, these pieces create an overwhelming presence of shame and humiliation. The bright colors of each ball are too vivid to be ignored. Each basketball, though beautiful and precious in its own right, serves as a constant reminder of every failed attempt.

His student works have received multiple accolades and have been exhibited in various venues, prestigious galleries, and museums.

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